The Latest From Washington
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Democratic Congressional Leaders Release Blueprint for $1.9 Trillion in Coronavirus Relief
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced they have filed a joint budget framework to enact the $1.9 trillion in relief sought by President Biden in his comprehensive American Rescue Plan.
02/01/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues SD to Enforce Face Mask Requirements
Following the release of a CDC order requiring individuals to wear masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs, TSA has just issued a Security Directive (SD) requiring airports to enforce the mask mandate.
01/31/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: CDC Issues Nationwide Mask Mandate for Travelers on All Public Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs
The CDC issued an order that requires travelers to wear masks while using any form of public conveyance, such as on airlines, subways, buses or ferries, and in airports nationwide.
01/30/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE Joins Industry in Raising Concerns about Domestic Pre-Departure Testing
AAAE joined others within the aviation, travel, and tourism industries to send a letter to the White House COVID-19 Recovery Team Coordinator that raised concerns about the possibility of a pre-departure testing requirement for domestic air travel.
01/29/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: DHS Issues NTAS Bulletin on Heightened U.S. Threat Environment
Acting DHS Secretary David Pekoske issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin due to the heightened threat environment across the United States...
01/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Senate Commerce Committee Approves Buttigieg Nomination
The Senate Commerce Committee has approved the nomination of Pete Buttigieg, President Biden’s pick to serve as Transportation Secretary, by a vote of 21-3.
01/27/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Revised COVID Testing Requirements for International Arrivals and Continued Travel Restrictions
The CDC has revised its order that required proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the U.S. from a foreign country.
01/26/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Nomination of Ali Mayorkas for DHS Secretary Advances for Full Senate Consideration
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee met to consider the nomination of Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
01/26/2021
Airport Affairs
Action Alert: Airport Input Needed to Make Case for Additional Coronavirus Relief
AAAE members are asked to continue to engage with congressional delegations to highlight the situation at their airports and ongoing needs.
01/25/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Final ASP Amendment on Centralized Revocation Database
TSA has informed AAAE that, as expected, the Executive Assistant Administrator for Operations Support Stacey Fitzmaurice has signed the the national amendment...
01/21/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: President Biden Makes Key Appointments at DHS, DOT, and FAA
President Biden has made appointments to key leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Transportation (DOT)...
01/21/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President Biden Issues Executive Orders on Face Masks in Airports and COVID-19 Testing in International Air Travel
President Biden issued an executive order that directs his administration to mandate the use of face masks in airports and on commercial aircraft and require a negative COVID-19 test result...
01/21/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: TSA Administrator David Pekoske Serving as Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary
TSA Administrator David Pekoske is serving as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security as the Senate considers the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas.
01/20/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases ANPRM on Whether to Designate PFOA/PFOS as Hazardous Substances
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) that requests comment from the public and industry...
01/20/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President-elect Biden Outlines Day One Executive Actions
In a document released early this morning, the incoming Biden Administration outlined a series of executive actions that the new President plans to take today...
01/20/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: FAA Releases Guidance on Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document that provides some guidance for airport sponsors on how FAA will distribute $2 billion under the “Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program” (ACRGP)...
01/19/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Confirmation Hearing Held for Alejandro Mayorkas to Become DHS Secretary
The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing this morning for Alejandro “Ali” Mayorkas to become the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
01/19/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: EPA Releases Final 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final multi-sector general permit (MSGP), which outlines the terms and conditions for authorizing certain airports to discharge...
01/19/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Requests Airports Share Administrator's Message on Unruly Passenger Policy
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is encouraging airports to share with passengers a video that FAA Administrator Steve Dickson recorded on the agency’s new, stricter enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers.
01/15/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: President-elect Biden to Unveil Coronavirus Rescue Package
President-elect Joe Biden is planning to unveil a $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package that calls for a “national vaccination program” and proposes to provide relief to working families hit hard by the pandemic.
01/14/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Publishes Aircraft Noise Annoyance Study Results
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published results from the agency’s aircraft noise annoyance study, called the “Neighborhood Environmental Survey” (NES), including an overview of the results on its website...
01/13/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: AAAE, ACI-NA Ask Congress, Biden Administration for Additional COVID-19 Relief
In a letter today to House and Senate leaders and the Biden transition team, AAAE and ACI-NA requested an additional $17 billion in funding for commercial service airports, along with further support for general aviation airports, concessionaires...
01/13/2021
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Summary of Aircraft Noise Annoyance Study Results
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a summary of the results from the agency’s aircraft noise annoyance study, called the “Neighborhood Environmental Survey” (NES).
01/12/2021
Airport Affairs
Airport Alert: Negative COVID Test Required to Fly Into the United States From All International Locations
Effective January 26, 2021, all international air passengers (ages 2 and above) will be required to obtain a negative COVID test result within three days before their flight to the United States departs and provide written documentation...
01/12/2021
Federal Affairs
Security Policy Alert: Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf Resigns Effective at Midnight
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is stepping down, citing recent court challenges to his authority.
01/11/2021
